But a new number can reveal how the gaffer sees the make-up of his squad – Owen getting the sacred no.7 at Old Trafford is an indication that Sir Alex sees him as a pivotal figure, while Ronaldo’s no.9 jersey suggests he can forgot being “the winger who gets more than his fair share” and expect to start repaying the £80 million in goals as well as shirt sales.
It’s important to players, too. Stevie G bemoaned wearing no.9 for England when Sven was short on strikers in the run-up to the 2006 World Cup. But at least our players aren’t as fussy as the Italians – Serie A team-sheets look more like a Super Bowl than a football match nowadays.
The most notable alteration in the Boro list is Brad Jones’s elevation to no.1. I had hoped the capture of Danny Coyne would mean the end of the error-prone Aussie’s spell in between the sticks. But Southgate clearly sees something in the 27-year-old that nobody else can – whilst a good shot-stopper and quick off his line, Jones really struggles to deal with balls into his box.
Jones has a long way to go to justify the no.1 shirt
With the exception of utility man Matthew Bates – who suffered more injury heartache in the win at Carlisle – there has been little change in defensive numbers. Bates assumes the no.4 shirt from Gary O’Neil, who surprisingly looks as though he may be staying with Boro until at least January after interest from Stoke and Portsmouth petered out.
Summer signing Mark Yeates will wear no.7 and, given his promising pre-season displays, looks as though he could make a big impact on Teesside. His flexibility to play anywhere across the front line coupled with a good work ethic could make him a fans’ favourite in the ilk of Craig Hignett.
Meanwhile, want-away strikers Tuncay, Alves and Mido have all been allocated a squad number despite the boss stating they will play no part in the coming season. It seems as though at least one of these sulkers will have to be sold before the club can manoeuvre in the transfer market, with Derby target man Rob Hulse touted as a preferred replacement.
But if Southgate doesn’t manage to find suitors for the troublesome trio before the first Championship game at home to Sheff Utd next Friday, we will be looking very short on striking options. His self-imposed embargo on fielding Alves – who at the moment looks the least likely to be out the door by then – will be sorely tested, with only Jeremie Aliadiere, Marvin Emnes and youngster Jonathan Franks to choose from up front.
Quite a reality check for Boro fans like me who, when the club last played a season opener in the second tier of the football league, watched Paul Merson and Fabrizio Ravanelli combine to help sink Charlton Athletic 2-1.
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